Communal Confession

 

In Holy Scripture, Confession always has a corporate dimension.

 Ezra 10:9-12

Then all the people of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and the heavy rain.

 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, ‘You have trespassed and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. Now make confession to the Lord the God of your ancestors, and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.’ Then all the assembly answered loudly, ‘It is so; we must do as you have said'.

 The people of Judah had returned from their time in captivity and had come to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Having only been in the land briefly, they discovered many caught up in disobedience to the Lord. While in earlier verses, Ezra prays personally on behalf of all of the people; now it is the people themselves who gather in assembly. They confess that they have sinned, and later each tribe’s leader comes to engage in ceremonial confession before the priests of God on behalf of their people. When these tribal leaders leave, it is with a plan to rectify their disobedience and change their ways.

 In the New Testament, when people came to John the Baptist for baptism and repentance, they did so individually yet in a communal context for all to see. This is in keeping with the type of repentance that the people of God would have expected. This same behavior continues in the book of Acts. Confession has a public dimension to it.

 In England, before the Reformation, there had been some forms in the Medieval Sarum Rite that were used in confession and absolution and adapted for the General Confession of Sin in the Eucharistic Rites of the Book of Common Prayer. The Roman Catholic and the Anglican services of Holy Communion assume that the Mass was (and is) for communal confession.

 

The Best Student

 

“For he is the best student who does not read his thoughts into the book, but lets it reveal its own; who draws from it its sense, and does not import his own into it, nor force upon its words a meaning which he had determined was the right one before he opened its pages.”

Hillary of Poitiers

Confession WE and ME

 

 

So, what does it "look like" when we confess our sins as Christians? Due to our western and heavily Protestant influence, most of us think of confession as a private matter between ourselves and God. However, as with the Creation of Adam and Eve, their disobedience, and their salvation as prescribed by Elohim-Yahweh (the Creator-Covenant God of Israel), personal actions always have pronounced communal repercussions.

Paul tells us in Romans that when Adam "sinned", somehow, so did we. In the least, he is the symbol of our disobedience against God, but I believe Paul sees much more going on here in a mystical and relational way. The first human beings had a chance at getting and keeping things right with God relationally. When they sinned, we, and the rest of the created order, reaped the whirlwind (see Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12-15, Rom 8:18-25). This is why Christ comes back as the "new Adam" to represent us in his obedience, sacrifice, resurrection, and glorification. In a certain way of speaking, he undoes what Adam, Eve, and others got wrong. Thus, we see a communal context and starting point regarding our disobedience and redemption.

Similarly, the Covenant people see their sin, struggle, and redemption firstly as a WE thing. We are in this together, including the needs and sinfulness we still struggle with.

How has the church confessed its sins together and privately over the years? We will begin to look at this more closely in our next article during Lent.

Review: To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World by James Davison Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How do you change the world? Stop trying to change the world and live out Covenant Community through a theology of faithful presence. Our goal is not control on our terms, but faithful influence letting Christ be the King and we the stewards.

Wonderful discussion and challenge to today's Protestants (conservative, liberal, and passivists) regarding their hope of bringing the kingdom of God through political means...stay engaged as salt and light, BUT don't give into the hate and control.



View all my reviews

The Feast of St. Gregory of Nyssa

 

Gregory was a man enchanted with Christ and dazzled by the meaning of his Passion. He was born in Caesarea about 334, the younger brother of Basil the Great, and, in his youth, was but a reluctant Christian.

When he was twenty, the transfer of the relics of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste to the family chapel at Annesi quickened Gregory’s faith, and he became a practicing Christian and a lector. He abandoned this ministry, however, to become a rhetorician like his father.

His brother Basil, in his struggle against the Emperor Valens, compelled Gregory to become Bishop of Nyssa, a town ten miles from Caesarea. Knowing himself to be unfit for the charge, Gregory described his ordination as the most miserable day of his life. He lacked the important episcopal skills of tact and understanding, and had no sense of the value of money. Falsely-accused of embezzling Church funds, Gregory went into hiding for two years, not returning to his diocese until Valens died.

Although he resented his brother’s dominance, Gregory was shocked by Basil’s death in 379. Several months later, he received another shock: his beloved sister Macrina was dying. Gregory hastened to Annesi and conversed with her for two days about death, and the soul, and the meaning of the resurrection. Choking with asthma, Macrina died in her brother’s arms.

The two deaths, while stunning Gregory, also freed him to develop as a deeper and richer philosopher and theologian. He reveals his delight in the created order in his treatise, On the Making of Man. He exposes the depth of his contemplative and mystical nature in his Life of Moses and again in his Commentary on the Song of Songs. His Great Catechism is still considered second only to Origen’s treatise, On First Principles.

In 381, Gregory attended the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople, where he was honored as the “pillar of the Church.” In the fight for the Nicene faith, he was one of the three great Eastern theologians, known with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, as the Cappadocian Fathers.

Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nyssa, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalter Reading:    19:7–11(12–14)

Gospel Reading:    John 5:19–24

The Freedom of Confession

 

Christians and clergy in America have become very uncomfortable with the idea of sin. Our Holy Scriptures and our Book of Common Prayer have not.

Jesus did not come to die so people could find “God in themselves” or make the world a more moral place (any of the writers of Scripture would be bewildered by such a belief). Yet this is a standard narrative amongst many of our clergy and churches in the Anglican communion (conservative and progressive). To believe this is to make a complete mockery of the content of our liturgy for Ash Wednesday and the good Scripture-based theology behind it.

Jesus came for sinners who were separated and alienated from God. Without repentance and faith, there is no spiritual life and salvation. In Christ, through the waters of baptism of his one, holy, and catholic church, we become forgiven, righteous, and holy – but we do not realize these things ultimately until our bodily resurrection. And so, we still struggle with sin and the need to confess those sins, so they do not control us, distract us, or prevent us from realizing the healing and redeeming touch of our saving Lord and Christ.

Confession is not about accepting more guilt and shame. When we sin, we will experience guilt and shame, and the “great accuser of the brethren” can’t wait to join in. However, Christ took our guilt and shame at the cross and does not want us to remain in this emotional or intellectual state.

As we are told by the Psalmist:

Psalm 32:title–5 (NRSV)

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

1 John 1:8–10 (NRSV)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I could share many more scriptures, but suffice it to say that growing in holiness means accepting, denouncing, and turning from sin. There is no way of avoiding the “theological tension” and mystery of being positionally redeemed and, yet, simultaneously, sinners in need of a savior. This is God’s way of saving and bringing us to His final kingdom.

As we will see in future articles, the confession of sin is private and communal. Confession is not to be feared but is a place of healing, power, and freedom. Like a patient with a bad toothache, we bring our problem to those who can help us fight the infection. As crucial as our communal confession is on Sundays, personal confession in prayer to God and a constant turning from our sin through the power of the Holy Spirit are also central to our spiritual hope and spiritual growth.

But if we play the old game of “I am not a mess,” or “I am doing just fine,” and “confession is for other people with bigger sins,” we reveal the toothache and its corresponding infection has made deep inroads into our lives. When we think this way, despite the constant and growing pain, we remain terrified to face the things that enslave us and steal our joy.

Well, it is off to the dentist for me. How about you?

A Statement About Political Influence

Statement Regarding Political Influence

Two or three issues should not dictate to us the entirety of our vote. As Christians we should work for justice and thoughtfulness in all areas of politics, government and society.  Our focus as children of the Kingdom of God should be on being salt and light. When we give into this world's view of manipulation, power, and pragmatism to get our way politically, we hinder the Kingdom of God power and influence that is available to us only through the Holy Spirit. An honest grasp of context and complexity in a fallen world should aid us in avoiding blind and simplistic approaches when it comes political and moral solutions.

As Christians, our scriptural call to civic responsibility (including voting) is about stewardship, faithfulness and influence NOT power and control. The temptation to trust in the forces and kingdom of this world to the neglect of the priority of Gospel and Kingdom-of-God-living is pronounced.  We have nothing to fear, even if the "mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

Feast of the Nativity Candlelight Service

 

Fertility for What? James 5:7-11 (VIDEO)

A Blinding Light

 

During Advent, we prepare our hearts and minds afresh to receive the Christ-child. At the time in Israel when Jesus was born, the state of the Covenant People was one of spiritual darkness, isolation, and confusion. The Romans occupied and ruled the land by brute force and oppression, and most of the Jewish leaders were selfish, manipulative, and cared little for the true heart of their Covenant God. These unfaithful shepherds revelled in beliefs and narratives of their own design and the creation of their own ways of salvation, all the while using, ignoring, and burdening those who were poor, the marginalized, and the powerless. BUT in this time of darkness, Jesus was born.

This Advent, we may also feel that we are facing much darkness. We are often reminded at Christmas about those we have lost in the recent past, our own mortality, or our loneliness and isolation. Nostalgia can quickly replace the hope and future we still have as life continues to flow.

As a parish, we have bounced back from COVID admirably compared to national attendance averages but have still seen significant numerical loss. Our own diocese attendance declined 35% in average Sunday attendance in 2021 (very close to the national average in the Episcopal Church). We are recovering from the pandemic emotionally, spiritually, and physically. As committed members who love our church, we may get confused or concerned regarding the parish's future. It seems to me a great time to welcome once again the light of the world, JESUS. He has a penchant for bursting into darkness, bringing a blinding light before, with, and after Him.

When we lay aside our anxiety at the things swirling around us that we cannot control and put our hope in the wisdom, protection, and provision of our Triune God, any Christmas Season can be a time for renewed HOPE, JOY, and PEACE. This does not mean that our "feelings" will always step in line as we would hope. It means that our gracious God will lead, direct, and deliver us as He always has as His Covenant People. As we take each day as it comes, we know He will give us the support we need to get through the day before us.

We will find life, healing, and strength as we choose to obey, love, and trust our gracious Savior and Lord, the head of the church and bringer of salvation. Let us, again, this Advent and Christmas seasons prepare our hearts and joyfully celebrate our deliverance from sin and despair through our celebration of Holy Communion on Sundays, personal prayer and meditation during the week, and a continuing devotion to our Triune God. Let us offer to Him our repeated prayers of thanksgiving for the deliverance and light of the Christ-child.



Fr Tom

A Book by Father Thomas Reeves (published by a traditional publisher in 2017)

Was Jesus An Evangelical? Some thoughts about the American Church and the Kingdom of God  

There are many who use Jesus as an excuse for multiple contradictory beliefs and actions. How do we decide who is right, and who is wrong? How do we discern if our approaches to Jesus and his Church are reflective of his living and teaching regarding the Gospel and the Kingdom of God? Whose interpretation of Holy Scripture is the correct one?

For many Americans, personal feelings, perceived needs, and religious experiences are the new authorities that trump all others…past or present. Neither the Holy Scriptures nor the Historic Christian Church (who gathered the Scriptures from the Apostles) have been completely cast aside, but both have largely become “suggestive” sources that carry little real weight. In the end, most Protestant groups (Conservative and Liberal alike) continually give themselves over to authorities that promise visible, measurable, and comfortable options in regard to a particular brand of Jesus and his ways. Of course, God is on their team’s side, so victory and success are assured.

The suggestion of this book is that the above approach to church (of any particular team) only brings fleeting happiness and buyer’s remorse. Only the real Jesus can give real life, love, joy, and hope. His vehicle for redemption and transformation is the fallible, holy, messy, and faithful Church of Jesus Christ. But it is HIS church. He is the Lord, and only he decides what faithfulness is or is not.

Is it Jesus that we truly want?

Gospeling and Goodnewsing

 

Evangelism is a good word and a Biblical concept. The Greek word in the New Testament for gospel/good news is εὐαγγέλιον, transliterated into English as evangelion. Episcopalians need to redeem this historic term and concept if we are going to be true to our history and beliefs. Someone, therefore, who is "gospel-ing" or "goodnews-ing" is evangelizing: they are bringing the Gospel to the world around them.

Some Christian traditions have reduced evangelism to simple and wooden applications removed from a good, historic, and Scriptural understanding of the church (our ecclesiology, i.e., theology of the church). The vehicle for the redemption of the world is Christ's Church. Who we are as the church is intertwined with our beliefs (and approach) to evangelism. This clarity then helps us better understand the words of Jesus our Lord in their rightful context when he says:

Matthew 28:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Knowing Jesus is a relationship AND a religion (defined properly as good tradition).

In my former parish, I wrote an article entitled Evangelism in the Anglican Tradition (click this highlighted link) now posted on our website. I hope you will give this brief article a read, and while you are there check out the rest of our site!!!


Fr. Tom

Turning from Wisdom to Wisdom

 

Prov 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.


It will be a healing for your flesh

and a refreshment for your body.

So, what happens when we intimately desire and welcome the Lord into every area of life possible; When we pursue our God in all of His goodness? He gives us direction. He goes before us and leads us to lasting hope, joy, and peace. What do we lose by taking the wheel of our lives, while asking him to get into the back seat (or out of the automobile altogether?)

Verses seven and eight seem counterintuitive on a human level of functioning. It is startling to hear that reliance on our limited understandings, experiences, and beliefs could be empty foolishness or distraction from the true healing and refreshment that our Lord longs to give us. Trusting God and his wisdom above all else seems to make us quite vulnerable; perhaps even stupid in the eyes of the world around us.

However, the writer is not asking us to be foolish, laying aside the understandings and wisdom we do have (whether spiritual or practical). Instead, he is instructing us to hold any of our perceived wisdom (and our pride in being wise) loosely when comparing it to the wisdom of our God. We stand ready to change our thinking or our direction when it conflicts with knowing and obeying Jesus Christ. This is why we continue to "know/acknowledge" God and worship Him with all of our being. The more we know Him and His ways, the more wisdom and eternal life we will experience while we walk this planet.

When we turn from that which is evil and destructive, we find healing and refreshment in our inner being. When we let go of error and embrace his commands and truth: we are free.

Self-serving, self-reliant self-worship brings us nothing but anxiety. In time we realize, that our striving on our own terms is empty, our control is a façade, and our self-derived dreams are at risk. It is better to find lasting joy and rejuvenation in the God who alone can grant them.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us constantly cast our burdens, stress, and fear on the Lord. As we trust Him, He is ready to give us the direction and peace that we need.


Fr. Tom

The Prayer Book Tradition

The Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle

 

Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples, is probably to be identified with Levi, a tax collector (“publican”) mentioned by Mark and Luke. In the Gospel according to Matthew, it is said that Matthew was seated in the custom-house when Jesus bade him, “Follow me.” When Jesus called him, he at once left everything, followed the Master, and later gave a dinner for him. Mark and Luke also note that Levi was a tax collector. In all three accounts, Jesus is severely criticized for eating at the same table with tax collectors and other disreputable persons.

Tax collectors were viewed as collaborators with the Roman State, extortioners who took money from their own people to further the cause of Rome and to line their own pockets. They were spurned as traitors and outcasts. The Jews so abhorred them that pious Pharisees refused to marry into a family that had a publican as a member. Clearly, Matthew was hardly the type of man that a devout Jew would have had among his closest associates. Yet Jesus noted that it was the publican rather than the proud Pharisee who prayed the acceptable prayer, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.” There is frequent favorable reference to publicans in the many sayings of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew.

Matthew was called early in Jesus’ ministry, but that he wrote the Gospel that bears his name is seriously doubted by scholars. It is, however, generally accepted that his “logia” or “sayings of Jesus” have been included in that Gospel.

It may be that the author of the First Gospel took from Matthew’s work some of the numerous parables and comments that make that Gospel so popular a source for homilies and teaching. Through this Gospel, especially, Jesus speaks not only of faith and eternal life, but of duties toward one’s neighbors, family, and even enemies.

Tradition has it that Matthew, having converted many persons to Christianity in Judea, traveled to the East; but there is no certain evidence for this. He has been venerated as a martyr, but the time and circumstances of his death are unknown.

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Psalter Reading

Psalm 119:33–40 

Lessons

Proverbs 3:1–6

2 Timothy 3:14–17

Matthew 9:9–13

The Truth Sets Us Free

 

Following the promotional narrative of whatever group or leader is usually easier than fact-finding, careful research, and courage. But as Jesus tells those in John 8 who are trying "pigeon-hole" him into their interpretations and approaches, only the truth found in his word sets us free.

So to whom are we tuning our ears?

The Feast of the Holy Cross

 

The historian Eusebius, in his Life of Constantine, tells how the emperor ordered the erection of a complex of buildings in Jerusalem “on a scale of imperial magnificence,” to set forth as “an object of attraction and veneration to all, the blessed place of our Savior’s resurrection.” The overall supervision of the work—on the site where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands—was entrusted to Constantine’s mother, the empress Helena.

In Jesus’ time, the hill of Calvary had stood outside the city; but when the Roman city which succeeded Jerusalem, Aelia Capitolina, was built, the hill was buried under tons of fill. It was during the excavations directed by Helena that a relic, believed to be that of the true cross, was discovered.

Constantine’s shrine included two principal buildings: a large basilica, used for the Liturgy of the Word, and a circular church, known as “The Resurrection”—its Altar placed on the site of the tomb—which was used for the Liturgy of the Table, and for the singing of the Daily Office.

Toward one side of the courtyard which separated the two buildings, and through which the faithful had to pass on their way from Word to Sacrament, the exposed top of Calvary’s hill was visible. It was there that the solemn veneration of the cross took place on Good Friday; and it was there that the congregation gathered daily for a final prayer and dismissal after Vespers.

The dedication of the buildings was completed on September 14, 335, the seventh month of the Roman calendar, a date suggested by the account of the dedication of Solomon’s temple in the same city, in the seventh month of the Jewish Calendar, hundreds of years before (2 Chronicles 7:8–10).

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Lessons:

Psalm 98

Isaiah 45:21–25

Philippians 2:5–11

John 12:31–36a

(Pgs. 378-379, Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, Church Publishing)

The Rapid Cure

 

The Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle

Official Feast Day, August 24th

Bartholomew is one of the twelve Apostles known to us only by his being listed among them in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. His name means “Son of Tolmai,” and he is sometimes identified with Nathanael, the friend of Philip, the “Israelite without guile” in John’s Gospel, to whom Jesus promised the vision of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Nothing more is heard of him in the four Gospels.

Some sources credit Bartholomew with having written a Gospel, whose existence was known to Jerome and Bede, but which is lost today. There is a tradition that Bartholomew traveled to India, and Eusebius reports that when Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India, between 150 and 200, he found there “the Gospel according to Matthew” in Hebrew, which had been left behind by “Bartholomew, one of the Apostles.”

An ancient tradition maintains that Bartholomew was flayed alive at Albanopolis in Armenia.

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

                                                 

Psalm                                                      Lessons

91                                                           Deuteronomy 18:15–18

or 91:1–4                                               1 Corinthians 4:9–15

                                                                Luke 22:24–30

(Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, Church Publishing)

Harm Does Not Heal

 

The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

Mary of Magdala near Capernaum was one of several women who followed Jesus and ministered to him in Galilee. The Gospel according to Luke records that Jesus “went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. . .” (Luke 8:1–2). The Gospels tell us that Mary was healed by Jesus, followed him, and was one of those who stood near his cross at Calvary.

It is clear that Mary Magdalene’s life was radically changed by Jesus’ healing. Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of the faithful ministry of women to Christ. All four Gospels name Mary as one of the women who went to the tomb to mourn and to care for Jesus’ body. Her weeping for the loss of her Lord strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief—meeting her in the garden, revealing himself to her by calling her name—makes her the first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17). As the first messenger of the resurrection, she tells the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18).

In the tradition of the Eastern Church, Mary is regarded as the equal of an apostle; and she is held in veneration as the patron saint of the great cluster of monasteries on Mount Athos.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Psalm                                                                                                 Lessons

42:1–7                                                                                                2 Corinthians 5:14–18

                                                                                                            John 20:11–18

Source: Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006; Church Publishing

"When All Means All" - Luke 9:57-62 (With Gospel Reading)

Feast of St. John the Baptist

 

John the Baptist, the prophet, and forerunner of Jesus, was the son of elderly parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and was related to Jesus on his mother’s side. His birth is celebrated six months before Christmas Day, since, according to Luke, Elizabeth became pregnant six months before the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

John figures prominently in all four Gospels, but the account of his birth is given only in the Gospel according to Luke. His father, Zechariah, a priest of the Temple at Jerusalem, was struck speechless because he doubted a vision foretelling John’s birth. When his speech was restored, Zechariah uttered a canticle of praise, the Benedictus, which is one of the canticles in the Daily Office.

John lived ascetically in the desert. He was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey. He preached repentance, and called upon people to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom and of the Messiah, baptizing his followers to signify their repentance and new life. Jesus himself was baptized by John in the Jordan.

John had many followers, some of whom became Jesus’ disciples. Because of his denunciation of the sins of Herod, especially Herod’s incestuous marriage, John incurred the enmity of Herodias, Herod’s wife, and was put in prison. Through Herodias’ plotting with Salome, her daughter, Herod was led to promise a gift to Salome, who demanded John’s head. John was thereupon executed.

John is remembered during Advent as a prophet, and at Epiphany as the baptizer of Jesus. The Gospel according to John quotes the Baptist as saying to his followers that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and prophesying, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

I. Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm Lessons
85 Isaiah 40:1–11
or 85:7–13 Acts 13:14b–26
Luke 1:57–80

(Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, Church Publishing)

Siding with the Weak

 I thought that this statement went well with today's Psalter reading from Morning Prayer:

Psalm 82 
Coverdale

1God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:

2"How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?

3Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;

4Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.

5They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6Now I say to you, 'You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;

7Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'"

8Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.

Whose Praise Do We Want?

John 12:42: 

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

We find out a lot about who we are when we have a lot to lose. To shine the glory of Christ, inspire others, and encourage a living and healthy church takes great courage and faith.

Lord Jesus, give us this courage and faith.

Feast of St. Barnabas

 Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and turned it over to the apostles” (Acts 4:36–37). This first reference in the New Testament to Barnabas introduces one whose missionary efforts would cause him to be called, like the Twelve, an apostle. As a Jew of the Dispersion, he had much in common with Paul. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples were afraid to receive him. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles, and declared to them how, on the road to Damascus, Paul had seen the Lord, and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27). Later, Barnabas, having settled in Antioch, sent for Paul to join him in leading the Christian Church in that city.

Barnabas and Paul were sent by the disciples in Antioch to carry famine relief to the Church in Jerusalem. Upon their return, the Church in Antioch sent them on their first missionary journey beginning at Cyprus. At Lystra in Asia Minor, the superstitious people took them to be gods, supposing the eloquent Paul to be Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Barnabas to be Jupiter, the chief of the gods, a testimony to the commanding presence of Barnabas. The association of Barnabas and Paul was broken, after their journey, by a disagreement about Mark, who had left the mission to return to Jerusalem. After attending the Council of Jerusalem with Barnabas, Paul made a return visit to the Churches he and Barnabas had founded in Asia Minor. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, where Barnabas is traditionally honored as the founder of the Church.

It seems that Barnabas continued his journeys for the Gospel, because Paul mentions him several times in his letters to the Galatians, the Corinthians, and the Colossians. Tradition has it that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus.

(from Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006, pg. 282)

Vessels of Grace

The prophet Samuel is one of my favorite Biblical characters. In part this is due to his sensitivity and submission to the Lord from an early age, his faithfulness as a judge and a prophet, and the complexity and uncertainty connected to the future of Israel. Samuel was the linking character between the “time of the Judges” and the “time of the Prophets”. However, his life was anything but a bed of roses.

Although we don’t have the space to flesh much out about him, we read this about his transition into the latter part of his ministry life:

I Sam. 8:

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.

For some of us, this is a familiar story. The scriptures do not record how his sons’ training, transition into important spiritual/political positions, or their removal from their offices occurred. It is not recorded how this seeming failure with his sons affected his emotions, life, and ministry functioning at times. I suggest that this is likely a most painful time in Samuel’s life, and in the following verses things only get more intense.

However, unlike Eli, the judge before Samuel (and Samuel’s mentor), God did not rebuke Samuel for ignoring his son’s behavior, nor does the author of I Samuel fault Samuel in any way for his son’s rebellious and destructive ways. The indication is that they were removed. While Samuel was likely not a perfect parent or role model (none of us are), he seemingly had been a faithful one. God was using, blessing, and empowering Samuel, NOT because he had it all together with the model family and a resume of worldly, measurable success. In his grace, the Lord was leading and using Samuel as his mouthpiece to his people due to His faithfulness, and Samuel’s faithfulness.

Remember that this public, humiliating, “failure” on the part of Samuel came before the greatest impactful moments of his “ministry career”. The rebellion of his sons comes before Samuel anoints Saul as king. It is before he anoints David as king, and the Messianic Davidic Kingdom is established. This is before the most significant time in his ministry life as a well-regarded hero of our faith.

God doesn’t bless and honor Samuel because he had it all together, and no longer struggled with everyday temptations and sin like the rest of us. He used and blessed Samuel because of His “lovingkindness” and His “grace”. Samuel suffered and grieved but he didn’t give himself over to sin and unfaithfulness. He did not “turn aside after gain; take bribes and pervert justice”.

When we are contrite, humble, and faithful, we are assured of God’s forgiveness and grace. He only saves and uses us because of His grace. He only can use us in measured and lasting ways when we engage our needs and our limited influence over others and situations. But when we throw ourselves on His mercy, the doors of his blessing are kicked open wide, and the blinding light of the glory of God shines in.

Who knows? Our greatest fears and perceived failures may indicate that God is ready to use us in ways we never imagined. We will never know, though, if we put our trust and hope in the wrong things; if we fail to constantly throw ourselves on His grace and loving-kindness.

Is. 57:15

For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.


Father Tom

The Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist

For Monday, April 25th, 2022

A disciple of Jesus, named Mark, appears in several places in the New Testament. If all references to Mark can be accepted as referring to the same person, we learn that he was the son of a woman who owned a house in Jerusalem, perhaps the same house in which Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples. Mark may have been the young man who fled naked when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul refers to “Mark the cousin of Barnabas,” who was with him in his imprisonment. Mark set out with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but he turned back for reasons which failed to satisfy Paul (Acts 15:36–40). When another journey was planned, Paul refused to have Mark with him. Instead, Mark went with Barnabas to Cyprus. The breach between Paul and Mark was later healed, and Mark became one of Paul’s companions in Rome, as well as a close friend of Peter’s.

An early tradition recorded by Papias, Bishop of Hieropolis in Asia Minor at the beginning of the second century, names Mark as the author of the Gospel bearing his name. This tradition, which holds that Mark drew his information from the teaching of Peter, is generally accepted. In his First Letter, Peter refers to “my son Mark,” which shows a close relationship between the two men (1 Peter 5:13).

The Church of Alexandria in Egypt claimed Mark as its first bishop and most illustrious martyr, and the great Church of St. Mark in Venice commemorates the disciple who progressed from turning back while on a missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas to proclaiming in his Gospel Jesus of Nazareth as Son of God, and bearing witness to that faith in his later life as friend and companion to the apostles Peter and Paul.

From "Lesser Feasts and Fasts", 2006, Church Publishing.

“A Righteousness Outside of Us” Phil. 3:4-9

Blessed or Miserable? Ps. 32:1-11

Playing with the Sacramental - I Corinthians 10:1-14 (With Gospel Reading)

The Feast of the Annunciation to Mary

Collect of the Day

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 7:10-14


Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55


My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Luke 1:26-38


In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Video Sermon YouTube Channel

 

For those interested, many of Father Tom's sermons are now being video-recorded and posted on this YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjRA__BqS_R0i-NtMbgMDKg

For those interested watching full services when they are video recorded at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Bloomington, IL, will be posted on this YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXZp6TKHXDJNT5IH2YHZMyQ

A Lenten Way of Life

The Season of Lent is upon us. Of course, in the Christian Year, the service that launches us into this season is our Ash Wednesday Mass. Listen to the introduction of this liturgy as it is found in the Book of Common Prayer:

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith."


I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's Holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker, and redeemer.


Lent is that significant season that reminds us that we are all still sinners in need of a savior. The early Christians would have been very aware of the below Old Testament passages:

Jeremiah 17:
9 The heart is devious above all else;
it is perverse—
who can understand it?
10 I the Lord test the mind
and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways,
according to the fruit of their doings.

Psalm 19
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.

However, in contrast to some “catholic” traditions, Lent is not about self-punishment, self-condemnation, or self-merit. It is about emotional and spiritual honesty so that true life and healing may be engaged and celebrated. Lent reminds us that we no longer have to pretend that we have it all together, but that God calls us to be responsible to grow in our salvation and ability to love Him and others. The denial of our appetites in concert with some more focused evaluation of the darkness still left in our hearts, helps us to more poignantly be receptive to the mystical realities appropriated to us through Good Friday and Easter.

What often hinders the blessing and penitence of Lent is the need to have it all together, and the fear that we are still under punishment, i.e., terrible things will happen to us if people (including ourselves) find out who we truly are. News flash: Jesus already knows, but He cannot bring healing to patients who wrap their arms around themselves in self-righteousness, self-worship, and self-protection.

Let us engage Lent this year because we long to engage our merciful and triune, God. Ask the Lord to give you the courage through the power of the Holy Spirit, to turn from your sin, and to find His help and healing.

Father Tom

The Problem with Transformation

One of the big differences between a catholic/sacramental view of conversion, and other Christian theologies of conversion, is an understanding of who is actually doing the converting. A sacramental view of conversion insists that all conversion starts with God…NOT us. Only God through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can convert, i.e., transform a person’s heart to follow Jesus, and, yet, each person must desire, pursue, and receive this gift of salvation if it is going to be legitimate and authentic for them. Thus, the sacramental does not negate the volitional (choice of will).

I repeatedly stated as I candidated here at St. Matthew’s in February 2021, that it is my strong belief that the decline in the American church (across denominational lines) is largely not a “technique” or “methodological” problem (and this includes conflict management acumen and ministry programming of any kind); what we have is a “character problem”. We are largely much more interested in what works than what is true. So often in our churches, Jesus doesn’t direct and define our lives; we fit Him into ours. Jesus modeled the centrality of personal sacrifice, forgiveness, and unconditional love; he was courageous and stood against evil and those who wished the church and others harm. Jesus didn’t have an easy ministry; the things He did and calls us to do aren't often easy, either.

So how can we foster a community that opens its heart to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? The faithful are called to obey and use the teachings of Jesus Christ to discern some of His most prominent rivals on the American landscape: personal feelings, life experiences, and preferential opinions – whether they be ours or those to whom we desire to bring happiness. These potential masters call for our worship and priority in decision making, but for the thoughtful and teachable disciples of Jesus, they are only discerned or engaged through the lenses of the Gospel and the teachings of the Kingdom of God. Whose lenses do we start with?

We can transform…no one. We can fix…no one. We can change…no one. We can love…everyone. But loving people does not mean enabling and supporting clearly disobedient behavior repeatedly taught as destructive in Holy Scripture. WHO and what “truth” we follow will either pave a way for life and growth in our church, or it will rut and wash out any way forward.

Chickens are coming home to roost in American parishes across our land, so, how will we be different? The broader, disengaged, and non-confrontational approaches of modern moralistic institutionalism would struggle with the ministry of Jesus (just like they did at the time of Christ). Can the ways of Jesus truly be trusted? What does it “look like” for the Church of St. Matthew’s to be obedient and faithful to Christ, thus, welcoming Jesus as the Lord of the Church? Are His ways worth following?

I say yes. What say you?

Practical Theology

The problem that we often have with our “theology” about God, life, and the church, isn’t that our beliefs from Holy Scripture are so impractical or unrelated to life, but that they are so practical that God’s greatness reminds us how small and needy we truly are. Instead of being grateful for his love and mercy, we become threatened that this God so above us might be trying to take something from us; that if we follow Him completely, we may end up losing something essential that we must have to be happy.

We do not merit our salvation; we cannot earn it, nor should we even try. However, God has made our redemption a gift, and a responsibility. To grow in Him means a lot of work, discomfort, and change. When we are motivated by unholy fear, guilt, and unbelief an “earned approach” appears. When we are motivated by love and gratitude, a trusting, joyous, and passionate sanctification occurs. However, our growth in holiness, while not meriting our position with God, IS still a part of our salvation as we turn from sin and self-rule to faithfulness and obedience to our Lord and His ways. This desire and these actions on our part take discipline, patience, and the acceptance of God’s mercy. This is our theology of sanctification, and it is God’s path to our final redemption.

In Genesis, the Lord reveals himself to Moses with the name “Yahweh”. Literally in Hebrew, it means “I AM”. God is not just the Lord of Creation – matter, time, and space – he is above it and removed from it. God is not “was” or “will be”. For Him there is no past, present, and future; there is only NOW. Not only does our wonderful God know the future He has for us, He actually lives in that future. We have nothing to fear.

When we consider the greatness and love of our God, let us remember that He is calling us into a salvation history for His Covenant people that is already completed, but not yet. This is a mystery and one we will never completely understand. May this encourage us that His greatness can be trusted and may this help us to embrace that our Lord calls us to be faithful. 


Father Tom

Preparing for Family at Christmas

In the least, the COVID virus has caused most of us some everyday challenges, irritations, and general anxiety. However, it is amazing to what we can grow accustomed. While I still walk halfway between my car and the grocery store before I realize I have no mask on, I expect the reality of masks in public places. I have yet to receive my tax return from 2020. Our new couch which we bought in August is now due to arrive in April. Yes, these things are frustrating, but they are becoming much more normal every day.

There are things for which we can also become accustomed in our families, work, and church family. Some of this is fine, reasonable, and needed. However, there are other things that we accept and even support that Jesus did not and would not. This is because of His consistent and clear understanding in regards to true love. When it came to certain values and priorities, Jesus kept the will of His Father and His calling as His foundation, even with those He loved the most.

Mark 3:
Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”
31 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33 And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

While Jesus loved his family, He did not allow them to dictate His behavior. We have lost our way a bit as the church when it comes to the Christmas Season. A wonderful benefit of the Feast of the Nativity is that we have some blessed time to spend with family. However, Western culture has turned Christmas into “it’s all about family”. As the disciples of Jesus, it is the worship of Him that comes first, and this in turn is a blessing to us and our families. Feasting is God’s idea, and when we enjoy His blessings, this brings Him Joy as well. That said, it is easy to lose our focus and priorities as we interact and engage those that we love the most.

As we know quite well, being around family during the holidays also poses some great challenges and tensions. What temptations might that be for you? Can we draw boundaries with others without trying to punish them for past harms? Can we lovingly engage those we love without enabling their influence on our emotions or actions? Do we bring forgiveness and peace to our gatherings, or do we add to the chaos and tensions by our own self-service? Can we still feast and worship the Lord without being lost in the overwhelming business of this season?

The answer is most certainly, “Yes”, but we must prepare our hearts and open ourselves to the Christ-child’s gentle and powerful touch. May Advent prepare us for our Holidays and for faithfulness to our God throughout the entirety of the New Year.


Father Tom

Choking the Transformation

In our November 12th newsletter we talked a bit about how the Lord wants to use all of us in the body of Christ to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We observed some things that often discourage Christians from taking their part in being “light and salt” in the world.


To recap: One, we have been taught that “evangelism” is a method used to get results. Secondly, we are tempted to think that only those with a special gifting can be used to see others find Jesus as their Lord. Lastly, many of us struggle with deep spiritual “insecurities”: "God wouldn't use me to see someone come to find eternal redemption in Christ!". 


The truth is that the season of Advent helps us find the genuine starting places for effective outreach to the world; a world that so desperately needs to know the saving love of Jesus. Although humanity was given over to selfishness, pride, and emptiness, the Father sent His son to break into our world shrouded in guilt, shame, and self-destruction. He did not wait in His heavenly court for us to somehow figure it out ourselves (we were incapable of this). He in His mercy and love sent His willing and loving Son to break into our world that we might have hope.


Thus, as we will investigate in the future from Holy Scripture, the starting places for a grounded and lasting form of church growth does NOT start with our desire to see our institution survive that we might not suffer loss (this is about US).


The below two questions can reveal if we truly desire a future taught by Jesus about the Kingdom of God in our own hearts: Do we truly want to love our neighbor (whether they join our church or not), and do we truly want to love one another with the authentic love of Jesus? Without these two foundational pillars, any evangelism, outreach, and “do-gooding” in which we involve ourselves will be extremely limited in nature. Why? Because when we choose our own ways and machinations, we limit the power of the Holy Spirit among us and hinder the transformation that our Savior wants to accomplish in us...and through us.


More to come.


Father Tom

The Lord Wants YOU

 

How do we reach out to the world around us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

For many of us, this is an intimidating question. I used to strongly dislike (and was intimidated by) the idea of evangelism, but now I welcome it. “Well, yea, you are a priest! You folks are supposed to like talking to people about Jesus.” Nope, not necessarily true. We clergy are often just as befuddled about how to reach out to non-churched people as most Christians. But in the end, none of us have anything to fear.

I believe that there are several reasons why evangelism – living out and at times sharing verbally the gospel message – seems like such a foreign and intimidating reality. I would like to suggest just a few:

Firstly, we have been taught that evangelism is something that it IS NOT. We Americans are easily lulled into thinking that the things which are best and true come quickly and promise impressive numerical results. I suggest to you that this is NEVER taught in Holy Scripture, as a matter of fact, Jesus teaches exactly the opposite. Being an evangelist is not being a manipulative salesman.

Secondly, there are those in the church who do have a special gifting in evangelism and, thus, will be more effective in reaching people with the Gospel than most. However, in Ephesians 4:11 these “evangelists” are first tasked with aiding each member of the church in their own calling for mission to the world. This means that evangelists (and pastors doing the work of evangelists) are to buildup individual Christians to reach out to others in the context of who they are and how the Holy Spirit has gifted them. I submit to you in the strongest terms possible, that the greatest efforts in evangelism in Christian history (taking the long-view) were attained as the Church was “being the church” together in reaching out to the world around it. At times, God has worked in some “movements” to do some good, but this is not his calling or desire. He has given his Church a wholistic commission. Only the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ has the promise that “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it”.

Thirdly, we Christians struggle with insecurity in accepting the fact that God loves us and that He truly wants to use us as his kingdom witnesses. Sorry, but this is just patently false. Satan (and the forces of evil that he symbolizes) is called the “great accuser of the brethren” and the “father of all lies” in Holy Scripture. God says that he wants to use YOU in his Kingdom. Tell Satan to go back to…well, his home.

I ask you to listen and discern if what I am saying above has any scriptural or historic credibility as we continue to journey together in the upcoming months and years. The Lord has promised to lead us and use us, but we will only have his power if we choose to believe his promises and open ourselves in humility to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father Tom

When Competition Hurts

 

I Corinthians 12:

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Jesus Christ calls his people to be “conformed to his image” and thus, different from the world around us. Nowhere is this tension seen more profoundly than when we are in competition with one another. As hard as we may try not to succumb, we Christians often get pulled into comparing ourselves to the person in the next pew. We want to serve, but we also want to be appreciated for what we do. Sometimes, however, our service becomes too much about us and how we will be perceived. We are often much better at “acting humble” than actually “being humble”. Also, the reality is that if we cannot listen to others around us who love us, we may miss our poor behavior altogether.

But in the end, serving the Lord and the church with our gifts is not firstly about our benefit or the recognition we get from others. Serving our church is about “Loving God with all of who we are, and loving our neighbors as ourselves”. It is about serving the Body of Christ as only one of its very many members. But all the gifts and roles of a local parish matter if Jesus Christ is truly going to be seen by the world around us.

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

In God’s wisdom, he has given different gifts to different people. Some are given more of one gifting or different gifts altogether. This varying of gifts can be seen through our abilities, commitment, servanthood, and the use of our wealth. But as the Gospel of Luke reminds us “to whom much is given, much is required”. Can we revel and delight in the gifting and abundance of another, as well as appreciate the stewardship that to which God has called us? It becomes very hard to love someone that we view as a threat to our prestige.

Let us continue to lay aside our desires for our own self-recognition (which is its own slavery) for it only leads to jealousy, covetousness, and unhappiness. Instead, let us take joy in the gifts God has given everyone in our body no matter how great or small, obvious or subdued, appreciated or unwittingly ignored; when we do, we will be turning our church’s Halogen lights to BRIGHT as we shine the love of Christ to a world shrouded in darkness.

The Spirit of Reconciliation

 

"The whole Gospel of St. Luke is full of the spirit of ·reconciliation, the reconciliation of man with God, of person with person. The spirit of reconciliation is necessary in all ages. We may have perfect organization and perfect machinery, but, unless we have a right spirit behind them, they will not affect much. The forces of coercion on one side and revenge on the other will never do any good. Christ's religion reveals His spirit, and it is a reconciling spirit. Some people, wherever they go, bring trouble, and others bring blessing and healing, as did this great tender doctor who was with St. Paul to the end, and must have had  so sweet a character."

Father Andrew - Meditations, pg. 320

The Word in Liturgy

 

Father Tom has created a new podcast for the homilies that he will be preaching at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.

His new podcast is The Word in Liturgy.

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be yours this week.

To Fear or Not to Fear

 

2 Timothy 1:


7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.


8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.


Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit.


Fear is the enemy of the Gospel and a life that is free and being freed from anxiety. Fear tells us that:


we are not good enough
something we do or have done will ruin our lives
we must have control to be content
we must control our family, friends, and fellow-members
we must preserve our way of life at all cost
no one else can be trusted but me and those who think like me


Listen to Paul in Gal. 5 as he shares the “siblings” and the outcomes of fear:


19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,[e] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


This kind of living has no concept or reception for Paul’s words to Timothy that he should not “be ashamed” by those taking shots at a life lived out of the Gospel message. Instead, he welcomes Timothy "to join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God". People who understand that following Jesus means embracing and running into discomfort and suffering (as opposed to a “fight or flight” response) will reflect the following characteristics in their lives:


22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.


The above is NOT first of all about legitimate theological differences and in “debatable areas” among us. Remember that those who often attacked and maligned Paul saw themselves as “the orthodox” and it was the Jewish “orthodox” leaders who led the Crucifixion of Jesus (NOT firstly the Roman Government).


Because we hold certain beliefs that we believe to be “right” and “just” does not mean that our hearts are soft to the Holy Spirit and obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor does the “rightness” of our cause justify our uncontrolled passions, unforgiveness, and the poor treatment of others.


What are the patterns of your life related to the above lists? What kind of spirit do the people with whom you spend the most time reveal? What kind of spirit do you support and align with? Do you enable or undermine those given over to envy, power, and wrath? Who are those from whom you learn, get council, and welcome to aid you in your growth in Jesus?


Jesus is patient, loving, and forgiving. However, when it comes to how we treat people, minister with people, and forgive people, well…these things have eternal ramifications.


To repeat Paul's words from Galatians 5 above: I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


Matthew 6:

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Let us say “NO” to fear today, and YES to the fruits of the Spirit that only the Holy Spirit can give us as we welcome his work in our lives with obedient, soft, and teachable hearts to Jesus and His ways.


Father Tom

Watchful Versus Complacent

 

Paul has something very curious to say about the unseen powers of darkness who affect our everyday lives, and who are looking to erode the work of the Kingdom of God in our church community:

Eph. 6:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For our^[b] struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

In the book of Daniel we are told that there are angels assigned by God Himself to the nations of the earth and that these angelic beings war with one another:

Daniel 10:

¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia,^[a] 14 and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.”

In addition, both the Book of Job and the Psalms talk about a “heavenly court” appearing before Yahweh (the Covenant name of the Lord in Hebrew) likely containing angelic beings (both evil and faithful) with assignments and limitations given to them by the Lord God:

Job 1:

⁶ One day the heavenly beings^[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan^[b] also came among them. ⁷ The Lord said to Satan,^[c] “Where have you come from?” Satan^[d] answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 

Psalm 82:

¹ God has taken his place in the divine council;

    in the midst of the gods (likely, angelic beings here) he holds judgment:

² “How long will you judge unjustly

    and show partiality to the wicked?

³ Give justice to the weak and the orphan;

    maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

⁴ Rescue the weak and the needy;

    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

While it is not clear that we each have a “guardian angel”, it is clear that there are angels who are tasked with the aid and protection of God’s Covenant People:

Heb 1:14

¹⁴ Are not all angels^[f] spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Psalm 34:7

⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them

It is easy to react or overreact to the above-mentioned scriptures. Some see the work of the spirit-world with every rustling of fallen leaves, while others take such a rational approach that only what can be proven by the scientific method is worth considering. Neither approach is even slightly Biblical.

The truth is that the physical and visible worlds are interconnected and a part of the created order in which we “live, move and have our being”. Whether we like it or not, “Satan (the symbolic term used for the ruler of all the evil and unseen spirits) is roaming around, seeking who he can devour” - in regards to the world around us and the Covenant People of God, His church. Our political and municipal leaders, the religious and non-religious people we know, and we Christians ourselves are influenced and sometimes directly empowered by unseen forces of which we (or they) are unaware.

We are neither to dwell or fret on this reality NOR are we to ignore or neglect it. What we are to do is to put our hope in the Lord who has called and redeemed us to “pray constantly in the Spirit” putting on the “whole armor of God”. We look to stay “watchful” and “diligent” for our protection and the avoidance of temptation. When we take this approach, we will by definition be engaging the spiritual disciplines of communal-sacramental worship, personal prayer and meditation, and the constant soaking of ourselves in the Holy Scriptures.

In the end, we defeat evil and grow in holiness when we remember the words of Jesus that “greater is He that is in you, than He who is in the world”. In Christ, through the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, we will truly be “more than conquerors”.

Father Tom